Addressing Social Determinants of Health: Developing and Delivering Timely, Actionable Audit Feedback Reports to Healthcare Teams

Does actionable feedback on patient safety indicators and responses to disclosed social determinants of health (SDoH) impact clinical behavior? We sent Unannounced Standardized Patients (USPs) with SDoH-related needs to care teams in two urban, safety-net clinics. Data collected on practice behaviors were used for cycles of audit and feedback on the quality of electronic health record (EHR) documentation, team level information sharing, and appropriate service referral. Results suggest disconnect between team data and individual reporting: most report they refer but data suggests few do. Deeper integration of reports into team processes, attachment of feedback to curricula, and increased frequency of regular feedback may be needed for accountability.